Tag: Media

#NORML #News @WeedConnection

by russellropeMedia, News December 5, 2023December 3, 2023No Comments

Study: Patients Fail to Exhibit Changes in Neurocognitive Performance Following Cannabis Use


Melbourne, Australia: The use of medical cannabis is not associated with significant changes in patients’ cognitive performance or driving abilities, according to data published in the journal CNS Drugs.
Australian researchers assessed neurocognitive performance in a cohort of 40 patients authorized to use medical cannabis products. (Under Australian law, physicians may authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.) Participants’ performance was assessed at baseline and again three hours later. Patients either vaporized herbal cannabis or consumed oral extracts. Study participants had regularly used medical cannabis products for at least ten months prior to enrolling in the trial.
Patients exhibited no changes in simulated psychomotor performance, executive function, memory, or reaction time following their self-administration of a “standard dose of their prescribed medical cannabis.” Results were consistent regardless of the type of cannabis product consumed.
Investigators reported: “We found no evidence for impaired cognitive function when comparing baseline with post-treatment scores on a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, nor did we observe any change in performance on the DRUID [psychomotor] test battery over time. … These findings are consistent with two systematic reviews published in the last year that suggest that medical cannabis, when used regularly and consistently for a chronic health condition, may have little if any impact on cognitive function.”
The study’s authors concluded, “Medical cannabis may have minimal acute impact on cognitive function when prescribed and used as directed.”
Other studies have similarly determined that habitual cannabis consumers become tolerant to cannabis-induced changes in either cognitive or psychomotor performance. According to a 2018 meta-analysis of 36 studies involving over 1,000 participants: “Available evidence suggests that the effects of acute marijuana or Δ9-THC administration are less prominent in individuals with a regular pattern of cannabis use compared to non-regular users. Cognitive function appears to be the domain most likely to demonstrate tolerance upon repeated exposure, with some evidence of full tolerance indicating a complete absence of acute effect.”
A literature review published in the journal of the German Medical Association concluded, “Patients who take cannabinoids at a constant dosage over an extensive period of time often develop tolerance to the impairment of psychomotor performance, so that they can drive vehicles safely.”
Full text of the study, “A semi-naturalistic, open-label trial examining the effect of prescribed medical cannabis on neurocognitive performance,” appears in CNS Drugs.

Survey: Consumers Prefer Cannabis Over Conventional Sleep Aids
Pullman, WA: Many consumers report using cannabis as a substitute for conventional sleep aids, including melatonin and benzodiazepines, according to survey data published in the journal Exploration in Medicine.
Researchers affiliated with Washington State University surveyed over 1,200 individuals who reported using cannabis for sleep.
More than 80 percent of respondents said that they had eliminated their use of over the counter and prescription sleep aids after switching to cannabis. Respondents were more likely to use herbal cannabis rather than edible products prior to bedtime. About half of those surveyed reported using products that contained CBD and/or the terpene myrcene. Myrcene is reported to possess sedative effects.
The survey’s findings are consistent with those of others concluding that patients frequently consume cannabis to mitigate sleep disorders, including insomnia. Data published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine reports that the enactment of adult-use marijuana legalization laws is associated with a significant reduction in the sales of over the counter sleep aids among the general public.
Full text of the study, “A large-scale survey of cannabis use for sleep: Preferred products and perceived effects in comparison to over the counter and prescription sleep aids,” appears in Exploration in Medicine.

Survey: Most Cancer Patients Say Cannabis “Improves Their Ability To Cope With Their Illness”
Tel Aviv, Israel: The majority of cancer patients suffering from refractory pain say that the use of medical cannabis helps them cope with their illness, according to survey data published in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.
Israeli researchers surveyed 138 cancer patients authorized to use cannabis products. (Medical cannabis is legal by prescription in Israel.) Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that cannabis significantly helped them to cope with their illness while 32 percent said that it “partially” helped them.
Authors concluded: “A large majority of patients using cannabis report that the therapy significantly improves their ability to cope with their illness, with almost 40 percent stating it has done so to a large extent. In this cohort of patients with intractable cancer pain that has proved minimally responsive to numerous conventional treatments, including of course powerful opioids, adjuvants and radiotherapy, this seems to be a striking response. … This ... seems to suggest that this therapy should be considered in addition to current therapies for cancer-related pain and could be offered to patients even earlier in the course of their illness and treatments than is acceptable now.”
Other studies have documented sustained improvements in pain intensity, cognition, and sleep quality among cancer patients who consume cannabis products. Cancer patients also report decreasing their use of opioids following cannabis therapy.
Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis for refractory cancer-related pain in a specialized clinical service: A cross-sectional study,” appears in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

Maine: Testing Analysis Identifies Contaminants in Many Medical Cannabis Products
Augusta, ME: A significant percentage of medical cannabis products contain potentially harmful contaminants, according to an analysis performed by the state’s Office of Cannabis Policy.
State investigators collected and analyzed samples from 120 registered caregivers and dispensaries. Products analyzed included herbal cannabis and oil extracts.
Maine law does not mandate third-party lab testing for medical cannabis products. By contrast, products produced for the adult-use market are required to undergo testing prior to being sold by retailers.
Of the products tested, 42 percent contained contaminants, including yeast and mold, pesticides, and heavy metals. The presence of molds and other contaminants may pose increased risks to patients, particularly those who may be more susceptible to infection.
NORML has long opined in favor of third-party purity testing for cannabis products. It has also called for greater regulatory oversight for state-licensed testing laboratories.
Testing analyses of other unregulated cannabis products, such as those containing hemp-derived CBD and/or delta-8-THC, have similarly reported elevated percentages of heavy metals and other contaminants.
Full text of Maine’s Office of Cannabis policy report is available from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.

Georgia: Regulators Award Licenses to Four Additional Producers of Low-THC Cannabis Products
Atlanta, GA: State regulators have awarded cannabis production licenses to four additional companies. The licenses allow the companies to grow cannabis and manufacture low-THC/high-CBD oil products.
Low-THC/high CBD products became legal to possess in 2015. However, regulators failed to approve any licensed providers or dispensaries until earlier this year. There are now a total of six licensed producers in the state.
In November, independent pharmacies began selling cannabis oil products statewide. Medical cannabis products are also available in state-licensed dispensaries, though fewer than ten facilities are currently licensed by state officials.
About 14,000 Georgians are registered to access cannabis products for a variety of ailments, including autism, cancer, Crohn’s disease, seizure disorders, and Tourette syndrome.

#Advertise @WeedConnection

by russellropeBusiness, Media December 4, 2023October 14, 2023No Comments

Inquire About
Media Services @RussellRope

. . . .

#Advertise @WeedConnection

#NORML #News @WeedConnection

by russellropeMedia, News November 28, 2023November 28, 2023No Comments

Clinical Trial: Oral CBD Administration Provides Relief From Dental Pain


San Antonio, TX: A single oral dose of plant-derived CBD provides short-term relief from acute dental pain, according to randomized, placebo-controlled trial data published in the Journal of Dental Research.
Investigators affiliated with the University of Texas at San Antonio assessed the efficacy of CBD (in the form of Epidiolex) versus placebo in a cohort of 61 patients with severe dental pain. Subjects received a dose of either 10 mg, 20 mg, or placebo CBD. A visual analog scale assessed patients’ pain levels before and after treatment.
Researchers reported, “Both CBD groups resulted in significant VAS pain reduction compared to their baseline and the placebo group, with a maximum median VAS pain reduction of 73 percent from baseline pain at the 180-min time point.” Side-effects associated with CBD were “minimal.”
Authors concluded: “This randomized trial provides the first clinical evidence that oral CBD can be an effective and safe analgesic for dental pain. … This novel study can catalyze the use of CBD as an alternative analgesic to opioids for acute inflammatory pain conditions, which could ultimately help to address the opioid epidemic.”
Epidiolex is a proprietary CBD product derived from cannabis plants manufactured by the British biotechnology firm GW Pharmaceuticals. The FDA approved it in 2018 as a prescription-only treatment for rare seizure disorders. The DEA descheduled it in April 2020.

Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol as an alternative analgesic for acute dental pain,” appears in theJournal of Dental Research.

Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Use Associated With Weight Loss, Lower BMI
Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Subjects who consume cannabis or cannabis-related products in clinical trials typically experience weight loss, according to a meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Brazilian researchers reviewed results from randomized controlled trials involving subjects’ use of cannabis or cannabis-related products.
They reported: “In general, cannabis use reduced weight ... and WC [waist circumference]. When examining subgroups, longer follow-up periods were associated with a more pronounced BMI [body mass index] reduction.”
The study’s authors concluded, “These findings suggest that cannabis and sub-products could be considered adjuncts in obesity treatment by helping to reduce relevant anthropometric measurements.”
A 2022 ecological analysis published in the journal Health Economics reported that the adoption of state-licensed marijuana sales is associated with a decrease in state-level obesity rates.
Case-control studies have consistently reported that those with a history of marijuana use are less likely than abstainers to be obese or to suffer from type 2 diabetes. Studies have also previously linked cannabis use to greater rates of physical activity.
Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabis and sub-products on anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” appears in the International Journal of Obesity.

Study: Subjects Report That CBD Products Provide Stress Relief
Detroit, MI: CBD oil products provide stress relief, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Investigators affiliated with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine assessed the short-term use of CBD products in a cohort of 374 participants. Study subjects were instructed to use a 1,000mg hemp-derived CBD isolate product ad libitum for the first half of the trial period. They were then instructed to switch to a 1,000mg broad-spectrum hemp-derived product for the remainder of the study.
Third-party testing confirmed that the isolate product contained CBD and no other cannabinoids. By contrast, the broad-spectrum product contained CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids, as well as various terpenes.
Researchers reported, “Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management.” However, they added, “Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits.”
There were no differences in adverse effect ratings for the two products.
The study’s authors concluded: “This quasi-experimental study of nearly 400 adult volunteers compared self-reported effectiveness of two THC-free CBD products -- an isolate and a broad spectrum -- for stress reduction. Overall, participants reported both CBD products to be effective and able to assist with stress management, and that ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product. … Together, these data fit with prior studies, suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in both nonclinical and clinical populations.”
Full text of the study, “Effects of two cannabidiol oil products on self-reported stress relief: A quasi-experimental study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Study: Subjects Report That CBD Products Provide Stress Relief
Detroit, MI: CBD oil products provide stress relief, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Investigators affiliated with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine assessed the short-term use of CBD products in a cohort of 374 participants. Study subjects were instructed to use a 1,000mg hemp-derived CBD isolate product ad libitum for the first half of the trial period. They were then instructed to switch to a 1,000mg broad-spectrum hemp-derived product for the remainder of the study.
Third-party testing confirmed that the isolate product contained CBD and no other cannabinoids. By contrast, the broad-spectrum product contained CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids, as well as various terpenes.
Researchers reported, “Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management.” However, they added, “Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits.”
There were no differences in adverse effect ratings for the two products.
The study’s authors concluded: “This quasi-experimental study of nearly 400 adult volunteers compared self-reported effectiveness of two THC-free CBD products -- an isolate and a broad spectrum -- for stress reduction. Overall, participants reported both CBD products to be effective and able to assist with stress management, and that ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product. ... Together, these data fit with prior studies, suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in both nonclinical and clinical populations.”
Full text of the study, “Effects of two cannabidiol oil products on self-reported stress relief: A quasi-experimental study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

#NORML #News @WeedConnection

by russellropeMedia, News November 21, 2023November 20, 2023No Comments

Clinical Trial: Oral CBD Administration Provides Relief From Dental Pain


San Antonio, TX: A single oral dose of plant-derived CBD provides short-term relief from acute dental pain, according to randomized, placebo-controlled trial data published in the Journal of Dental Research.
Investigators affiliated with the University of Texas at San Antonio assessed the efficacy of CBD (in the form of Epidiolex) versus placebo in a cohort of 61 patients with severe dental pain. Subjects received a dose of either 10 mg, 20 mg, or placebo CBD. A visual analog scale assessed patients’ pain levels before and after treatment.
Researchers reported, “Both CBD groups resulted in significant VAS pain reduction compared to their baseline and the placebo group, with a maximum median VAS pain reduction of 73 percent from baseline pain at the 180-min time point.” Side-effects associated with CBD were “minimal.”
Authors concluded: “This randomized trial provides the first clinical evidence that oral CBD can be an effective and safe analgesic for dental pain. … This novel study can catalyze the use of CBD as an alternative analgesic to opioids for acute inflammatory pain conditions, which could ultimately help to address the opioid epidemic.”
Epidiolex is a proprietary CBD product derived from cannabis plants manufactured by the British biotechnology firm GW Pharmaceuticals. The FDA approved it in 2018 as a prescription-only treatment for rare seizure disorders. The DEA descheduled it in April 2020.

Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol as an alternative analgesic for acute dental pain,” appears in theJournal of Dental Research.

Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Use Associated With Weight Loss, Lower BMI
Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Subjects who consume cannabis or cannabis-related products in clinical trials typically experience weight loss, according to a meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Brazilian researchers reviewed results from randomized controlled trials involving subjects’ use of cannabis or cannabis-related products.
They reported: “In general, cannabis use reduced weight ... and WC [waist circumference]. When examining subgroups, longer follow-up periods were associated with a more pronounced BMI [body mass index] reduction.”
The study’s authors concluded, “These findings suggest that cannabis and sub-products could be considered adjuncts in obesity treatment by helping to reduce relevant anthropometric measurements.”
A 2022 ecological analysis published in the journal Health Economics reported that the adoption of state-licensed marijuana sales is associated with a decrease in state-level obesity rates.
Case-control studies have consistently reported that those with a history of marijuana use are less likely than abstainers to be obese or to suffer from type 2 diabetes. Studies have also previously linked cannabis use to greater rates of physical activity.
Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabis and sub-products on anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” appears in the International Journal of Obesity.

Study: Subjects Report That CBD Products Provide Stress Relief
Detroit, MI: CBD oil products provide stress relief, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Investigators affiliated with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine assessed the short-term use of CBD products in a cohort of 374 participants. Study subjects were instructed to use a 1,000mg hemp-derived CBD isolate product ad libitum for the first half of the trial period. They were then instructed to switch to a 1,000mg broad-spectrum hemp-derived product for the remainder of the study.
Third-party testing confirmed that the isolate product contained CBD and no other cannabinoids. By contrast, the broad-spectrum product contained CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids, as well as various terpenes.
Researchers reported, “Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management.” However, they added, “Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits.”
There were no differences in adverse effect ratings for the two products.
The study’s authors concluded: “This quasi-experimental study of nearly 400 adult volunteers compared self-reported effectiveness of two THC-free CBD products -- an isolate and a broad spectrum -- for stress reduction. Overall, participants reported both CBD products to be effective and able to assist with stress management, and that ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product. … Together, these data fit with prior studies, suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in both nonclinical and clinical populations.”
Full text of the study, “Effects of two cannabidiol oil products on self-reported stress relief: A quasi-experimental study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Study: Subjects Report That CBD Products Provide Stress Relief
Detroit, MI: CBD oil products provide stress relief, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Investigators affiliated with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine assessed the short-term use of CBD products in a cohort of 374 participants. Study subjects were instructed to use a 1,000mg hemp-derived CBD isolate product ad libitum for the first half of the trial period. They were then instructed to switch to a 1,000mg broad-spectrum hemp-derived product for the remainder of the study.
Third-party testing confirmed that the isolate product contained CBD and no other cannabinoids. By contrast, the broad-spectrum product contained CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids, as well as various terpenes.
Researchers reported, “Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management.” However, they added, “Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits.”
There were no differences in adverse effect ratings for the two products.
The study’s authors concluded: “This quasi-experimental study of nearly 400 adult volunteers compared self-reported effectiveness of two THC-free CBD products -- an isolate and a broad spectrum -- for stress reduction. Overall, participants reported both CBD products to be effective and able to assist with stress management, and that ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product. ... Together, these data fit with prior studies, suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in both nonclinical and clinical populations.”
Full text of the study, “Effects of two cannabidiol oil products on self-reported stress relief: A quasi-experimental study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

#Invest @WeedConnection #Inc

by russellropeBusiness, Media November 20, 2023October 14, 2023No Comments

#International #Business @WeedConnection

by russellropeBusiness, Deals, Delivery, Directory, Dispensary, GrowShop, HeadShop, Legal, Media, Medical, Other November 16, 2023October 14, 2023No Comments

New WC Franchise in Development @ RRP OG LLC
All Advertising/Media Services Will Be Honored
10-50% DiScOuNt :: Connect / Select You Plan

. . . .

Ask about our current promotion, which is a free listing with purchase of any other service @WeedConnection. Recently started rebuilding our global database and added a new/temp delivery section to our directory. Send us an email to submit any current information. Click here for listing and advertising information. The directory is a huge project that requires maintenance. We still have big plans for future development and production. Join(t) the team as a regional manager, college intern, street team member, or click here for a list of other open positions. Support, subscribe, follow, share, like, and mention growing cannabis business @WeedConnection

#NORML #News @WeedConnection

by russellropeMedia, News November 14, 2023November 14, 2023No Comments

Analysis: States with Legal Marijuana Sales Experience Big Boost in Home Values


St. Louis, MO: Home values have appreciated to a greater degree in states where cannabis is legal as compared to those jurisdictions where it is not, according to an analysis published by the online service Clever Real Estate.
“Home values in states with recreational cannabis have outpaced home values in other states by $48,983 over the past decade,” the study found. “Of the ten states with the largest increases in home values, seven have legalized recreational cannabis. Meanwhile, of the ten states with the smallest increases in home values, nine have not legalized recreational cannabis.”
At the local level, authors reported: “There’s a notion that dispensaries hurt property values, but the data shows cities in recreational states that have dispensaries report better home-value growth than cities without dispensaries in legal states. … Cities in recreational states with dispensaries have seen home values grow $168,292 since 2014, $67,359 more than the $100,933 growth in cities with legal recreational cannabis but no dispensaries.”
Authors of the analysis concluded, “States that haven’t legalized recreational cannabis are missing out on a range of economic benefits, with one of the biggest being a rapid appreciation in home values.”
The report’s findings are consistent with those of other analyses reporting an association between the establishment of legal marijuana businesses and elevated home values.
Full text of the report, “States with Legal Cannabis See $49,000 Boost on Home Appreciation,” is available online.

Study: Consumers of CBD Products Reduce Their Use of Other Medications
Chicago, IL: The short-term use of oral CBD products is associated with a decrease in patients’ use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Researchers assessed the use of various oral CBD products in a cohort of 1,160 subjects between the ages of 18 and 75. All CBD products were lab-tested for potency and purity before being provided to study subjects. Participants consumed CBD products ad libitum for four weeks.
Participants were most likely to report using CBD for purposes of pain management, reducing stress/anxiety, and improving sleep. Most subjects reported symptom improvements and better overall health following CBD treatment. Thirty-one percent of study participants “decreased or stopped their use of OTC drugs, and 19.2 percent decreased or stopped the use of Rx drugs” during the study – a finding that is consistent with other data.
Patients using CBD for pain relief were most likely to either reduce or eliminate their use of other medications.
Authors concluded, “CBD self-administration significantly improves self-perception of general health and decreases symptom severity, and as these improve, fewer OTC and Rx drugs are used.”
Data published last year in the journal Drugs & Aging reported that between 20 percent and one-third of older adults who consume CBD-dominant cannabis products for medical purposes reduce their use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines.
Numerous other studies have similarly documented reductions in patients’ consumption of prescription and over-the-counter medicines following their use of medical cannabis.
Full text of the study, “Long-term, self-dosing CBD users: Indications, dosage, and self-perceptions on general health/symptoms and drug use,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Study: Cannabis Associated With Reduced Use of Prescription Opioids Following Shoulder Surgery
Farmington, CT: Patients who use cannabis immediately following shoulder surgery are less likely to consume prescription opioids as compared to those who do not, according to data published in the journal Orthopedics.
Researchers affiliated with the University of Connecticut’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery compared opioid use patterns during the three days immediately following shoulder surgery in a cohort of more than 67,000 patients.
They concluded: “Patients in the cannabis group filled fewer opioid prescriptions and were prescribed fewer total MMEs [morphine milligram equivalents] in the first three days postoperatively. Results of this study indicate that patients who use cannabis products may use fewer opioids after proximal humerus open reduction and internal fixation.”
The study’s findings are consistent with those of other case-control studies reporting reduced opioid use among cannabis consumers following neck fusion surgery, wrist surgery, hip surgery, and knee surgery.
Full text of the study, “Cannabis use is associated with fewer filled opioid prescriptions after treatment of proximal humerus fractures,” appears in Orthopedics.

Connecticut: Regulators Amend Marijuana Purchasing Limits
Hartford, CT: Beginning December 1st, adult consumers will be able to obtain greater quantities of cannabis products in a single retail purchase, according to regulatory changes recently approved by the state Department of Consumer Protection.
The new rules increase transaction limits for adult consumers from one-quarter ounce of cannabis flower (or its equivalent) to one-half ounce.
Regulators initially limited consumers’ purchase amounts in order to ensure that retailers would maintain sufficient inventory to meet the needs of state-registered medical patients. Licensed regulators in the states dually serve both the adult-use and the medical cannabis market. About 48,000 patients in Connecticut are registered in the state’s marijuana access program.
Currently, there are 27 licensed dispensaries operating in the state.
Under the law, adults ages 21 and older may possess up to five ounces of cannabis in their home.